Xie Jinghao smiled awkwardly upon hearing this. As a sister-in-law, she certainly hadn't encouraged her brother and sister-in-law to divide the family property. However, she thought it was good that Shen Meng had this idea, since they were almost at the point of breaking the ice. Anyway, she left it at that and didn't say anything more about the topic.
Lu Mingkai pushed the enamel cup. He had already taken several sips and wanted his sister to have some too. The brown sugar water was sweet and delicious.
When he wanted to push it towards Lu Mingfang, he was a little afraid and looked up at Shen Meng and Xie Jinghao.
"Mingfang, you take a couple of sips, then give some to your third aunt." Shen Meng looked at Lu Mingfang gently. The little girl glanced at her, and for some reason, took the cup. She thought her mother's smile was really beautiful, making her heart feel warm.
Shen Meng sized up the two children. Lu Mingfang's hair was dry and yellow, her clothes were tattered, and her shoes were so thick that the cotton wadding was showing, with her big toes sticking out. It was clear that she had worn the same shoes from winter to summer.
On the other hand, Lu Mingkai, although the little guy wasn't very fleshy, was clean and tidy, and it was obvious that he had been well taken care of. Shen Meng recalled Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, and knew that the little guy was being cared for by his older siblings. She was very gratified by this brotherly affection, which proved that this contrasting group of the main characters' children was still a good child at this moment and hadn't gone astray.
“Jinghao, speaking of which, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with. You know I'm not very good at needlework. I got a piece of fabric and wanted to make a winter coat for Mingfang. I have some cotton stored here; could you please check if it's enough?”
Shen Meng said, getting up and taking out the green peony-patterned fabric she had shown Lu Mingfang from the kang cabinet. She then got off the kang and took out a bundle of cotton from the wardrobe. Of course, this cotton was taken from her spatial storage under cover; it was genuine Xinjiang cotton.
“Good heavens, so much cotton! How did you get all that, sister-in-law?”
It's no wonder Xie Jinghao was surprised. If she had known Shen Meng had such good stuff, her mother-in-law, Liu Sanjin, would have taken it away for her; she wouldn't have let her keep it until now.
"After I bought the cloth ration coupons their father sent, I slowly started saving cotton. Mingfang is a girl, and other girls her age already have a decent set of clothes to wear, but my daughter doesn't have one. I feel uneasy about that. I've been saving for a long time, but I haven't told the other children, afraid that they won't have enough and will be disappointed."
Lu Mingfang looked at Shen Meng in surprise. She hadn't expected that the promise to make her clothes was actually true. When they moved, she returned the cloth to her mother and didn't even dare to touch it again. Now, her mother had actually asked her aunt to make her clothes. The cloth was so soft, and there was so much white cotton. She wondered how long her mother had to save. She had heard that some families with daughters started saving from a young age so that they could afford two decent quilts when they got married.
"Mother,"
Shen Meng looked at Lu Mingfang's tear-filled eyes and gently rubbed her head. Although she wanted to hug and kiss her, the little girl was clearly still a bit afraid of her, and excessive affection would frighten her.
Seeing that Shen Meng was now showing love for the child, Xie Jinghao was happy for the baby and immediately offered to help.
"Alright, I'll leave this to you. With the extra fabric, please make a pair of cotton shoes for Mingfang. Later, when I'm feeling better, I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative at the commune to see if they have any more fabric to make a set for the boys too. You can keep the extra fabric to make a pair of shoes for the baby. My due date is in December, right?"
"Yes, the end of December, sister-in-law. That's so kind of you. Take good care of the baby and live a good life with my brother. Things will be fine in the future. As for making the clothes, I think I should come to your house to have them made. I'm pregnant now and don't need to work. I'll have time after I finish things at home."
Shen Meng naturally understood her meaning. If she took the fabric and cotton to Old Lu's house, would she ever get it back?
"Okay, then thank you in advance. Xiaogang is still young, I'll take him over to play with Mingkai later."
"Okay, then sister-in-law, you rest for a while, I'll go back now."
Shen Meng didn't let her leave immediately, handing Lu Mingfang the brown sugar water she had drunk a few sips of, and only letting her go after watching her finish it.
After Xie Jinghao left, only the mother and three were left in the house. At this moment, it was actually very awkward, mainly for Shen Meng. Although she had fantasized about having children before, it would definitely not be like this. After all, these two children had suffered a lot at the hands of the original owner, and she was afraid that being too enthusiastic would arouse suspicion. Lu Mingyang in the original book was very shrewd.
"Mingfang, good child, I haven't done well these past few years. You, Mingyang, and Mingliang have taken good care of Mingkai. Thank you, Mingfang. Xiaokai, you must remember the kindness of your older brother and sister. When you are capable in the future, you must repay them, okay?"
Lu Mingfang lowered her head, tears falling down her face. Lu Mingkai looked at the woman who spoke so gently, and his little hand couldn't help but reach out.
"Mom."
Shen Meng reached out and hugged Lu Mingkai, gently rubbing her chin against the top of his head.
"Oh, son, Mom's here!"
Taking advantage of this warm moment, Shen Meng freed one hand and gently put her arm around Lu Mingfang.
Lu Mingkai had grown up with his older siblings and rarely received a hug from the original owner of this body. When he went out to play, he had seen other children perched on their mothers' shoulders, their little bottoms being gently patted, and he had always been incredibly envious.
Now, he was also being held in his mother's arms, and the little guy couldn't help but snuggle closer, taking a deep breath. His mother smelled so good and was so soft. It felt so good to be held in his mother's arms, and he couldn't help but giggle twice.
Lu Mingfang leaned against Shen Meng, her lips tightly pursed, wanting to get closer but not daring to. In short, she felt like this afternoon was a dream.
Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, who had gone out to collect firewood, carried the firewood home. Only Mingfang and Xiaokai were home, along with a bad woman who could hit them at any moment. They were very worried.
After entering the house, they threw the firewood on the ground and hurriedly ran towards the west room. Not seeing anyone on the kang (heated brick bed), both of them panicked and rushed towards the east room. In those few steps, Lu Mingliang had already imagined the miserable state of his younger siblings.
When the two of them, pale-faced, ran into the east room, they saw their younger siblings being held in their stepmother's arms, looking incredibly warm and loving. They exchanged a glance, momentarily thinking they had seen a ghost.